Popular fast-food restaurant closes down

Popular fast-food chain Lord of the Fries has been forced to shut down its last remaining NSW store.

A sign posted on the Newtown store indicated the closure and stated: ‘Take note that the landlord has taken back possession of the premises.’

‘Any forced entry will be deemed as trespassing and reported to the local authorities.’

Lord of the Fries only serves vegan dishes including loaded fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs and a number of various sides and breakfast items.

There are still stores opening in South Australia, Queensland and Victoria.

Popular fast-food chain Lord of the Fries has been forced to shut down its last remaining NSW store

Lord of the Fries only serves vegan dishes including loaded fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs and a number of various sides and breakfast items

The business has been struggling since the Covid-19 pandemic, and in 2020, the first ever Lord of the Fries store in Melbourne’s CBD was forced to close its doors.

In 2022, Lord of the Fries Property, a crucial leasing entity for franchisees, declared bankruptcy with a $2 million debt, largely owed to landlords.

Lord of the Fries co-founder Mark Koronczyk said Covid lockdowns had been a tough time for the business.

‘The impact of Covid was massive for many of our stores, like it has been across the sector,’ he told The Herald Sun in 2022.

Meanwhile, Bruce Craig, the franchise holder of the business in New Zealand, announced last month that he intends to sell all six stores he owns.

‘We’ve had a tough couple of years like everyone else for sure, and have been working hard to keep the doors open,’ Mr Craig said.

‘It’s not like it has been a massively profitable business, but we feel like it is going to be pretty soon because the tide is turning again and people are starting to come back to their workplaces.’

The business has been struggling since the Covid-19 pandemic, and in 2020, the first ever Lord of the Fries store in Melbourne’s CBD was forced to close its doors.

WHAT IS LORD OF THE FRIES? 

Lord of the Fries is a Australian and New Zealand fast-food chain specialising in vegan cuisine. Originating in Melbourne, it has since expanded to various regions. Their menu features exclusively vegan options, including loaded fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs, and a variety of sides and breakfast items.

The concept began in 2004 as a vegetarian ‘mobile chip van,’ travelling across the country until the opening of their first brick-and-mortar store in Melbourne’s city centre in 2005. Due to its plant-based offerings, all meals from Lord of the Fries are both Kosher and Halal certified. By 2018, all of their restaurants transitioned to being 100% vegan. The founders and most franchisees are also vegan.

In a notable move in 2018, Lord of the Fries partnered with U.S. producer Beyond Meat, supported financially by actor Leonardo DiCaprio and the former CEO of McDonald’s. This made them the first Australian restaurant chain to offer Beyond Meat’s plant-based burger patties.

Expansion efforts have saw the chain spread across Australia, with stores in almost every state, including New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, and South Australia, as well as multiple locations in Victoria.

Internationally, Lord of the Fries opened its first international store in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2016. Additionally, they have introduced minor brands stemming from their main stores, such as ‘Lord of the…’ which offers plant-based take-home macaroni and cheese products.

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